Oil well liner hanger



Sept. 23, 1969 W. H. STATES OIL WELL'LINER HANGER Filed Feb. 15, 1968FIGJ I -2 a ussnni ll.

2 Shee'Ls-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM HUGH STA-res.

United States Patent 3,468,375 OIL WELL LINER HANGER William H. States,Garden Grove, Calil'l, assignor to Midway Fishing T 00] Company, LongBeach, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb. 15, 1968, Ser. No.705,853 Int. Cl. E21b 33/126, 33/129 US. Cl. 166-120 11 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention Oilwell tools and equipment.

Description of the prior art In the past, numerous liner hangers havebeen devised and used that were set in a cased oil well bore hole bymechanical manipulation of a setting tool. Such prior liner hangers haveinvolved constructions that were unduly complicated, expensive, andsuffered from the operational disadvantage that they could be setinadvertently at other than a desired depth in a well.

The present liner hanger, including packing means forming a partthereof, can be moved upwardly and downwardly in a bore hold, as well asrotated in one direction therein without danger that the hanger will beset inadvertently, with the liner hanger being adapted to be set andreset only after it has been subjected to hydraulic fluid above apredetermined pressure, with the setting tool being subsequently moveddownwardly relative to the liner hanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A liner hanger and packer assembly that is runinto a case bore hole on the lower end of a tubular setting tool and isadapted to be set and reset at various depths therein by sequentialapplication of hydraulic pressure to the liner hanger, and then movingthe setting tool downwardly relative to the hanger.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a liner hanger andpacker for a cased well bore that is run to a desired depth therein by atubular setting tool, with the liner hanger being adapted to be set onlyafter first being subjected to hydraulic fluid above a predeterminedpressure, with the liner hanger being set and the packer radiallyexpanded by subsequent downward movement of the setting tool relativethereto.

Another object of the invention is to supply a liner hanger and packerassembly that can be set and reset at various desired depths in a wellbore, cannot be stuck in a well bore, is of relatively simple mechanicalstructure, positive in operation, and cannot be inadvertently set bymechanical manipulation of the setting tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view ofthe liner hanger and packer depending from a setting tool, and prior tobeing set in a cased well bore;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the liner hanger and packer inthe cased well bore, after the setting tool 3,468,375 Patented Sept. 23,1969 has been disengaged therefrom, with the hanger set, and the packerexpanded into sealing contact with the casing;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the linerhanger and packer, taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 before the hangerhas been set and the packer expanded;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional v1ew of the linerhanger and packer, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2, after the hangerhas been set and the packer radially expanded;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the liner hanger,taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a second, transverse, cross-sectional view of the linerhanger, taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional ofthat part of the liner hanger within the oval shown in phantom line inFIGURE 3 and identified by the numeral 7;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, longitudinal, cross-sectional viewof that part of the liner hanger within the oval shown in phantom linein FIGURE 3 and identified by the numeral 8;

FIGURE 9 is the same view shown in FIGURE 8, but after a thirdcylindrical sleeve has been moved by hydraulic fluid under pressure tosever a shear pin and free a lock element to permit longitudinalmovement of a tubular mandrel relative to a slip assembly; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of the linerhanger at the location indicated by the numeral 10 in FIGURE 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGURE 1 it will be seen thata liner hanger A depends from the lower end of an elongate tubularsetting tool B whereby it can be lowered to a desired depth in thecasing C within an oil well bore hole D. A perforated liner E extendsdownwardly from the liner hanger A into an uncased portion 12 of thebore hole D. The liner hanger A is set in casing C at a desired depthfrom the ground surface by first applying greater than a predeterminedpressure to a column of hydraulic fluid (not shown) standing in thesetting tool B, and then moving the setting tool downwardly relative tothe hanger A. As the hanger A is set, a packer F also supported on thehanger, is radially expanded to bring it into sealing contact with theinterior surface of casing C. After the liner hanger A has been set andpacker F expanded, the exertion of pressure on the hydraulic fluid isterminated, with the setting tool B then being disengaged from the linerhanger and withdrawn to the ground surface (not shown).

The setting tool B (FIGURES l and 3) includes an elongate tubing string14, which is provided with a sealed lower end 16. If desired, a valve(not shown) may be secured to the lower portion of tubing string 14 toprovide the sealed lower end 16. First and second resilient packer cups18 and 20 are supported in fixed longitudinally spaced relationship onthe lower part of tubing string 14 by conventional means. First packercup 18 is located at a greater depth on tubing string 14 than the secondpacker 20, and packer 18 occupies an upturned position, with packer 20being in a downturned position.

One or more fluid discharge ports 22 are formed in tubing string 14between the first and second packers 18 and 20, as illustrated in FIGURE3. A third upturned packer 24 may be mounted on tubing string 14 abovethe second packer 20. A body 26 is also rigidly secured to the tubingstring 14 above the third packer 24. Threads 28 are formed on the lowerportion of body 26, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

The liner hanger A (FIGURE 3) includes a tubular mandrel 30, which issmaller in transverse cross section than that of the interior of casingC. External threads 32 and 34 are formed on the top and bottom portionsof mandrel 30. Threads 32 engage interior threads 36 formed on a collar38, from which collar a circular flange 38a projects outwardly anddefines a body shoulder 40. The collar 38 also includes upper interiorthreads 42 that are adapted to engage threads 28 to removably supportthe mandrel from body 26 (FIGURE 3). Threads 34 on mandrel 30 engageinterior threads 44 formed on the upper portion of liner E, also asshown in FIGURE 3.

The packer F comprises a cylindrical shell 44 of rubber or otherresilient material mounted on the upper portion of mandrel 30 asillustrated in FIGURE 3, with the upper end of shell 44 being inabutting contact with the body shoulder 40. The external diameter ofshell 44 is less than the interior diameter of easing C. A first tubularsleeve 46 formed from a rigid material is slidably mounted on the upperexternal surface of mandrel 30, with the upper end of this sleeveabutting against the lower end surface of shell 44. The exterior offirst sleeve 44 defines a downwardly tapering frusto-conical surface 48.

The first sleeve 46 has a downwardly and outwardly tapering interiorsurface 50 that terminates in a flat circular body shoulder 52, as maybe seen in FIGURES 3 and 7. The sleeve surface 50, external surface 54of mandrel 30, and body shoulder 52 cooperatively define acircumferentially extending confined space 56 that is triangular in alongitudinally extending direction, as also shown in FIGURES 3 and 7.

A ring 58 is provided, as best seen in FIGURE 7, that is disposed inconfined space 56 and rests on body shoulder 52. A number of downwardlyand inwardly tapering teeth 60 are formed on the inside of ring 58,which teeth snugly engage the exterior surface 54 of mandrel 30. Teeth60 are formed from a material that is harder than the metal from whichmandrel 30 is fabricated. Ring 58 has a tapered exterior surface 62 thatis of the same longitudinal angulation as surface 50. The teeth 60permit downward movement only, of mandrel 34 relative to ring 58 forreasons to be later explained.

Prior to setting of the liner hanger A, the first sleeve 46 is held at afixed longitudinal position on mandrel 30 by one or more transverseshear pins 64 (FIGURE 3). First and second longitudinally spaced rings66 and 68, respectively, are slidably mounted on the external surface 54of mandrel 30, and form part of a slip-supporting assembly S. A numberof circumferentially spaced, longitudinally positioned bow springs 70extend between rings 66 and 68, and these springs are in pressurefrictional contact with the interior surface 72 of casing C.

A number of circumferentially spaced resilient fingers 73 extendupwardly from the first ring 66, and each of these fingers supports anexternally serrated slip 75 on the upper end thereof. Before the linerhanger A is set, the slips 73 are spaced inwardly from the interiorsurface 72 of easing C, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

A number of circumferentially spaced, transverse bores 76 are formed inthe second sleeve 74, which are in alignment with dimples 78 formed inthe mandrel 30, as also shown in FIGURE 8. Balls 80 of a hard materialare partially disposed in bores 76 and dimples 78 to prevent relativemovement between the second ring 68 and mandrel 30 until such time as itis desired to set liner hanger A. The diameter of each of the balls 80is greater than the length of the bore 76 with which it is associated.Rotation of the second ring 68 relative to mandrel 30 is prevented by ascrew 77, which is supported on the second ring that slidably engages avertical slot 79 formed in the mandrel, as shown in FIGURE 3.

A flat circular band 82 is rigidly secured to the external surface 54 ofmandrel 30, and is so disposed thereon that the upper end of this bandis located adjacent to the lower edge of second sleeve 74 prior to thesetting of liner hanger A, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 8. The loweredge 84 of band 82 tapers downwardly and outwardly (FIGURES 3 and 10).One or more slots 86 are formed in the lower portion of band 82, andextend through the lower tapered edge thereof, as may best be seen inFIG- URE 10. Each of the slots 86 is in transverse alignment with ahydraulic fluid discharge opening 88 formed in mandrel 30, asillustrated in FIGURE 3. A circumferentially extending groove 89 isformed in the upper external portion of band 82. in which groove aresilient O-ring 92 is positioned. as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9.

A third cylindrical sleeve 90 is provided, a lower portion 96a of whichis of thicker wall section than an upper portion 9% thereof. At thejunction of wall portions 90a and 90b a circumferentially extending bodyshoulder 91 is defined, as seen in FIGURES 9 and 10. A lower recessedportion 74a is formed in the second sleeve 74, and this recessed portionis slidably engaged by a third sleeve portion 90a prior to setting ofthe hanger A (FIGURES 3 and 8) When sleeve 90 occupies the positionshown in FIGURES 3 and 8, the balls are held in bores 76 and dimples 78to prevent movement of second sleeve 74 relative to mandrel 30. However,when the third sleeve moves to the position shown in FIGURE 9, thesleeve portion 90b is disposed opposite balls 80, whereby the balls arefree to move outwardly from dimples 7 8 to permit movement of secondsleeve 74 relative to mandrel 30. The lower end of third sleeve 90develops into an inwardly extending circular flange 93 that is inslidable contact with the external surface 54 of mandrel 30.

A circumferentially extending groove 94 is formed in the lower interiorsurface of flange 92, as shown in FIG- URE 8, and a resilient O-ring 96is seated therein. O-ring 96 seals with the external surface 54 ofmandrel 30, as shown in FIGURE 8. A shear pin 98 engages both flange 93and mandrel 30 to maintain sleeve 90 in a fixed position on the mandrelprior to setting of the liner hanger A. The lower edge 84 of band 82,the upper edge 100 of flange 93, and interior surface of third sleeveportion 90b cooperatively define a circumferentially extending confinedspace 102 (FIGURE 8) into which hydraulic fluid under pressure may bedischarged from openings 88. The extent of downward movement of sleeve90 on mandrel 30 is limited by a helical spring 104 that encircles themandrel. The upper end of spring 104 is con nected to flange 93. and thelower end of this spring rests on a circular rib 106 secured to theexternal surface of mandrel 30.

The use and operation of the hanger support A are most simple. Hangersupport A and perforated liner E are supported from the body 26 bycausing engagement of threads 28 and 42. The hanger support A is thenlowered in casing C to a desired depth therein, as shown in FIGURE 1.Hydraulic fluid is caused to fill the tubing string 14, a secondconfined space 108 defined in mandrel 30 between the first and secondpackers 18 and 20, openings 88, and the first confined space 162. Space162, as may be seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, is of variable volume. When thehanger A is in the position shown in FIGURE 3, the spring 104 tends tomaintain the third sleeve 98 in such relationship relative to band 82that the volume of confined space 182 is at a minimum.

Thereafter pressure is applied to the hydraulic fluid with suflicientmagnitude to sever shear pin 98 to force the third sleeve 90 downwardlyrelative to mandrel 38. This downward movement of third sleeve 98compresses spring 104 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. When thesleeve 90 is moved downwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 8 tothat illustrated in FIGURE 9 the balls 88 are free to move outwardly outof locking engagement with dimples 78. Thereafter, mandrel 30 is nolonger held in locked engagement with third sleeve 98, and may be forceddownwardly a short distance relative to bow springs 70. due to thelatter being held stationary relative to casing C by said how springs.

First sleeve 46 is held in a fixed position on mandrel 38 by a shear pinlit). After movement of the balls 80 to the outer positions, the settingtool B, mandrel 30, ring 58, first sleeve 46, and pin 110 may be forceddownwardly relative to slips 75 until the slips move outwardlysufliciently to frictionally contact the interior surface of easing C.An increased force is then exerted by the setting tool B on mandrel 30whereby the pins 110 are severed and the collar 38 and mandrel 30 movedownwardly relative to first sleeve 46 and ring 58 to compress packer Fand radially expand the latter to bring it into sealing contact with theinterior surface of casing C. The hanger A is then set in casing C andthe exertion of pressure on the fluid in mandrel 30 may be terminated.

After the hanger A has 'been set in the manner described, the settingtool B is disengaged therefrom and lifted out of casing C. When it isdesired to remove the hanger A from a set position, the setting tool Bis lowered in casing C and caused to engage collar 38. An upward forceis thereafter exerted on the setting tool B, with mandrel 30 and ring 58being moved upwardly as a unit. Hydraulic fluid under pressure need notbe applied to the interior of hanger A when it is disengaged from a setposition.

This upward movement of ring 58 forces first sleeve 46 upwardly relativeto slips 75, which slips remain stationary in the casing C due to thebow springs 70 which are in frictional pressure contact with theinterior surface thereof. Upward movement of first sleeve 46 relative toslips 75 allows the slips to move inwardly to occupy the positions shownin FIGURE 3.

The band 82 also moves upwardly with the mandrel 30, and by the time theslips are in the retracted position shown in FIGURE 3, the band hasengaged the lower edge of second sleeve 74. As mandrel 30 moves upward-1y relative to second sleeve 74, the dimples 78 are brought intotransverse alignment with bores 76. The spring 104 concurrently urgesthe third sleeve 90 upwardly, with the sleeve portion 90a moving to theposition shown in FIGURE 8 to force balls 80 into dimples 78 and lockthe second sleeve 74 and mandrel 30 together as a unit. Further upwardmovement of setting tool B results in the travel of mandrel 30 and slipassembly S as a unit, without relative movement therebetween. Hanger Athen occupies the position shown in FXGURE 3 and may be moved upwardlythrough casing C to the ground surface.

Should it be desired, the liner hanger A may be reset in casing Cwithout withdrawing the hanger therefrom. In resetting the tool of thepresent invention the same procedure described herein is followed. Inthe resetting of the hanger A, the spring 104 rather than the pin 98maintains the third sleeve 90 in the position shown in FIGURE 3 prior tothe setting operation. Accordingly, the spring 104 must be sufficientlystrong to prevent the hydrostatic head of the fluid column in tubing 14and mandrel 30 from moving the third sleeve out of the position shown inFIGURE 3 to that illustrated in FIG- URE 4. Thus, the hanger A can onlybe reset if a substantial force from the ground surface is exerted onthe fluid column in tubing 14. The slips 75 are reset in the same mannerdescribed with regard to the setting operation, but with the firstsleeve 46 being moved downwardly by compression of the packer F ratherthan the downward force exerted on first sleeve 46 by pins 108.

I claim:

1. An oil well liner hanger adapted to be set and reset 'atpredetermined depths in a string of casing by a setting tool thatincludes a tubing string having a closed lower end, two longitudinallyspaced resilient packer cups mounted at fixed positions on the lower endportion of said tubing string, with at least one port being formed insaid tubing string between said packer cups and an engageable member onsaid tubing string above said packer cups, which hanger comprises:

(a) a tubular mandrel in which a transverse opening is formed;

(b) first means for removably supporting said mandrel from saidengageable member with said packer cups sealingly engaging the interiorsurface of said mandrel above and below said opening;

(c) a plurality of slips circumferentially spaced about said mandrel andinwardly positioned relative to the interior surface of said casing;

(d) a plurality of resilient fingers longitudinally positioned on theexterior of said mandrel, which fingers support said slips;

(e) second means slidably mounted on said mandrel for supporting saidfingers, with said second means being in pressure frictional contactwith the interior surface of said casing;

(f) third means for maintaining said second means in a fixed position onsaid mandrel until hydraulic fluid located in said tubing string betweensaid packers in said mandrel and said transverse opening is subjected togreater than a predetermined pressure, whereupon said third meanspermits said mandrel to be moved downwardly relative to said secondmeans; and

(g) fourth means on said mandrel for moving said slips outwardly intofrictional gripping contact with the interior surface of said casingwhen said mandrel is moved downwardly in said casing relative to saidthird means.

2. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said firstmeans comprises a collar having an outwardly extending flange, whichcollar is secured to the upper end of said mandrel and engages saidengageable means, which hanger further includes:

(h) a cylindrical packer mounted on said mandrel between said fiange andfourth means that is radially expanded into sealing contact with theinterior surface of said casing when said mandrel and collar are moveddownwardly relative to said fourth means.

3. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 2 wherein said fourthmeans comprises a first sleeve mounted on the upper portion of saidmandrel, which mandrel has a downwardly and inwardly tapering surfacethat slidably engages the interior surfaces of said slips at a wedgingangle.

4. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 3 which furtherincludes:

(i) frangible means for maintaining said first sleeve in a fixedposition on said mandrel, which frangible means is broken to allow saidmandrel to move downwardly by the continued application of a downwardforce thereon after said slips have been moved into pressure frictionalcontact with the interior surface of said casing.

5. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 4 which furtherincludes:

(j) fifth means for moving said first sleeve upwardly with upwardmovement of said mandrel to release said slips out of pressure contactwith the interior surface of said casing to permit said hanger to bemoved longitudinally in said casing.

6. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 3 wherein said secondmeans includes:

(h) first and second longitudinally spaced rings slidably mounted onsaid mandrel;

(i) a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spacedbow springs that frictionally engage the interior surface of said casingand extend between said first and second rings, with said first ringserving as a support for the lower ends of said fingers; and

(j) a second sleeve extending downwardly from said second ring, in whichsecond sleeve a plurality of transverse bores are formed that may bebrought into alignment with a plurality of dimples formed in theexterior surface of said mandrel, and which dimples and bores form apart of said third means.

7. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 6 wherein said thirdmeans includes:

(k) a flat band encircling said mandrel above said open- (l) a pluralityof rigid balls of greater diameter than the length of said bores, withsaid balls when partially disposed in said bores and dimples blockingsaid second means in a fixed position on said mandrel;

(m) a third sleeve slidably mounted on said band,

which third sleeve includes a lower inwardly extending flange thatslidably engages said mandrel, with said third sleeve when in a firstposition extending upwardly over said second sleeve a distancesuflicient to maintain said balls in said dimples and bores, and withsaid third sleeve cooperating with said band to define a confined spaceof variable volume that is in communication with said opening in saidmandrel; and

(n) spring means which at all times tend to maintain said third sleevein said first position, but with said third sleeve being moved to asecond position when hydraulic fluid under pressure is discharged fromsaid setting tool into said confined space, which third sleeve when insaid second position allows said balls to move outwardly into said boresto permit said mandrel to be moved relative to said second means to setsaid slips in casing.

8. An oil well liner hanger adapted to be set and re set atpredetermined depths in a string of casing by a setting tool thatincludes a tubing string having a closed lower end, two longitudinallyspaced resilient packer cups mounted at fixed positions on the lower endportion of said tubing string, with at least one port being formed insaid tubing string between said packer cups and an engageable member onsaid tubing string above said packer cups, which hanger comprises:

(a) a tubular mandrel of lesser transverse cross section than theinterior cross section of said casing, in which mandrel a transverseopening is formed;

(b) first means for removably supporting said mandrel from saidengageable member with said packer cups sealingly engaging the interiorsurface of said mandrel and disposed above and below said opening, whichfirst means includes a circumferential body shoulder that projectsoutwardly adjacent an upper portion of said mandrel;

(c) a cylindrical resilient packer mounted on said mandrel and inabutting contact with said body shoulder;

(d) a first sleeve having a downwardly and inwardly tapering externalsurface, which sleeve is mounted on said mandrel, with the upper edge ofsaid first sleeve being in abutting contact with the lower edge of saidpacker;

(e) a slip assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel,

which assembly includes first and second longitudinally spaced rings, aplurality of bow springs extending between said rings that are inpressure frictional contact with the interior surface of said casing, aplurality of resilient fingers extending upwardly from said first ring,a plurality of slips mounted on the upper ends of said fingers, theinner surfaces of which fingers slidably contact said downwardly andinwardly tapering surface, with the outer surfaces of said slips beinginwardly spaced from the interior surface of said casing, and a secondsleeve that extends downwardly from said second ring and slidablyengages said mandrel;

(f) a cylindrical protuberance located on said mandrel above saidtransverse opening formed therein;

(g) a third sleeve slidably mounted on said protuberance, which thirdsleeve includes a cylindrical flange that extends inwardly from thelower portion thereof to slidably engage said mandrel below saidtransverse opening, with said third sleeve and protuberancecooperatively defining a confined space of variable volume that is incommunication with said transverse opening;

th) second means for removably locking said slip assembly in a fixedposition on said mandrel when said confined space is of a minimumvolume;

(i) spring means that at all times tend to move said third sleeve to aposition where said confined space is of minimum volume, with saidhanger being set by discharging hydraulic fluid into said tubularstring, mandrel, transverse opening and confined space to increase thevolume of the latter and permit second means to move out of a lockingposition, and said setting tool and mandrel thereafter being moveddownwardly relative to said slip assembly to allow said first sleeve toradially move said slips into frictional pressure contact with theinterior surface of said casing, with further downward movement of saidsetting tool and mandrel after said slips have been set, compressingsaid packet to the extent that it radially expands into sealing contactwith the interior surface of said casing and will so remain aftercessation of pressure on said hydraulic fluid; and

(j) third means for moving said first sleeve upwardly with upwardmovement of said mandrel and setting tool to permit said slips to moveinwardly relative to the interior surface of said casing and allow saidhanger to be moved vertically within said casing, with said spring meansas upward movement of said mandrel takes place relative to said slipassembly moving said third sleeve into a position where said confinedspace is of minimum volume and said slip assembly is releasably lockedin a fixed position on said mandrel.

9. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 8 wherein said firstmeans comprises as threaded collar on the upper end of said mandrel andengages threads on said engageable member.

10. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 8 wherein said springmeans is a helical spring that encircles the lower portion of saidmandrel, with the lower end of said spring being held at a fixedposition relative to said mandrel, and the upper end of said springbeing in contact with said third sleeve.

11. An oil well liner hanger as defined in claim 8 wherein said thirdmeans is a ring that encircles said mandrel, which ring includes aplurality of downwardly and inwardly tapering teeth that are harder thanthe material defining said mandrel and that engage the exterior surfacethereof, with said ring being disposed Within an upwardly and inwardlytapering surface defined by said first sleeve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1965 Mott 166-208 i2/l966 Mottl66208 JAMES A. LEPPINK, Primary Examiner

